On Changing Social Norms to Deter Corruption

Corruption is a longstanding
problem that affects industrialized and developing countries as well as
different types of organizations at the national and international level. Corruption
is a true barrier to development in many growing nations because it increases
costs and therefore limits access to goods and justice. Corruption is usually
regressive in that it imposes a higher toll on those that are worse off and do
not have the means to bribe or to defend themselves, thus becoming an
instrument that enhances poverty and inequality.

Some believe that
corruption is due to low salaries that push public officials to take bribes. However,
others argue that no salary is high enough to fully insulate someone from
taking a bribe. As Dr. Basu stated in his lecture, low salaries are not the
drivers of bribes or corruption, considering how often it occurs in high political spheres
with well-paid officers.Corruption has two
sides to it, the giver and the taker, and to some extent implies voluntary
participation. Dr. Basu outlined three conditions that may have a significant
effect in lowering corruption. First, a determined stand by the government to make
tough decisions to reduce it; second, a change in the mindset and human
psychology so people understand corruption is not acceptable; and third, a change
in laws and how bureaucrats intervene to address this problem.

Public pressure
through social networks can also play a role in exposing both the givers and
takers. However, exposure will not be enough if the way people think about corruption,
namely in its “wrongness” and its “unavoidability,” is not altered. Push for
this change has to come first and foremost from civil society. Expecting change
to come from the government would require a well-intentioned politician with
broad support to make this happen, which is unlikely to happen any time soon.

Incentives may
accelerate this new mindset. As Dr. Basu discussed, if the giver and taker face
the same cost of bribery, neither are prone to denounce. However, if the giver
has an incentive to say something, the taker will have to pay a higher price.
Additionally, as social norms condemn bribery and corruption at large, then the
costs to the taker are even higher.

Exposure and an
internal change in social norms unfortunately may not be enough in many
countries, and here is where other actors may be of help. Multilateral
organizations and well-respected governments should also push for less corruption.
But this is something that, as Dr. Basu said, we can only hope for since it takes courage to fight such practices that in
many cases also benefit agencies that protect the status quo.